The most misused phrases - including ‘to be pacific, ‘an escape goat’ and ‘damp squid’

'To be pacific, 'an escape goat' and 'damp squid' are the most misused phrases or sayings, according to research.

The phrases - commonly known as 'eggcorns' - often mean something different to the original yet make some kind of sense.

Other common errors include saying 'lack toast and tolerant' when they are lactose intolerant - rather than breadless and open-minded.

'Passing mustard' rather than muster might lead to some odd glances, while a 'doggie-dog world' sounds like a much friendlier place than a 'dog-eat-dog world'.

The research of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, found 35 per cent admit to saying an 'eggcorn'.

Adrian Ellis, from Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, said: "The eggcorns survey is a fun way to highlight the need to look after our hearing as many phrases are down to people mishearing them in the first place.

"With a record 11 million people in the UK now suffering from some degree of hearing loss, if ignored it can not only lead to potentially embarrassing situations socially but also be incredibly isolating."

'Nipping something in the butt' rather than the bud might exasperate the problem and being a 'social leopard' isn't likely to go down well at parties.

Getting what's coming to you often means you get your just desserts but some would argue you get your 'just deserves'.

Sore subjects might be something of a moot point for many of us but for some they're a mute point.

And if your favourite jumper becomes frayed you might make a 'last stitch' effort to save it.

Other eggcorns in the top 30 include 'boo to a ghost' instead of 'boo to a goose', 'biting my time' instead of 'biding my time' and 'on tender hooks' instead of 'on tenterhooks.'

Carried out by OnePoll.com, the research also found we say an eggcorn on three occasions every month.